There was a time – not long ago – when many South Africans would have associated Julius Malema as being one of the most hated figures in South African politics. Even the much compromised ANC ended up booting him out of the party in 2012 over his escalating, radical statements. He subsequently disappeared from the scene for a while, only to reemerge as leader of his own breakaway party, the EFF. Since then, his image has softened in South Africa somewhat as he took on Jacob Zuma in Parliament, with his party coining the ‘Zuptas must fall’ phrase. His party’s partnership with the DA in cities such as Johannesburg and Tshwane to keep the ANC away from power has also, possibly falsely, given the impression that he would work as part of an opposition-coalition front. What many of us may forget, is that his use of the red berets is a symbol of how he idealises leaders such as the deceased Hugo Chavez, who is a key reason for the mess that Venezuela is in today. And it’s clear from Malema’s speech on the weekend that he still seeks a Venezuela-styled South Africa. He may also be a kingmaker for an ANC that falls below 50% in the 2019 election – this could result in a desperate ANC resorting to expropriation without compensation to keep its newfound partner happy. In his speech on the weekend, he incited racial hatred against whites and Indians in South Africa while also backing the ‘white monopoly capital’ phrase and call for a socialist state that ‘shares its wealth’. Be under no illusion that if Julius Malema gets anywhere near power, South Africa will wish back its Zuma days… – Gareth van Zyl

He said that’s one reason why they don’t want to invest their money into the country’s economy through industrialisation “because they don’t trust South Africa’s democracy”.

“There is white dominance and control of our economy. Today when you remove the ownership by pension fund from the stock exchange, the remaining 90% belongs to white families,” he said, before asking “who owns the land, factories and monopoly industries in the country”?

He said Mbeki’s story that there’s no white monopoly capital is not correct.

“I don’t like [the] Guptas, I don’t like Bell Pottinger, but I cannot either associate myself with the corruption of white monopoly capital because of hatred that is a distortion. I don’t agree with that,” said Malema.

“Let us not factionalise the real challenges of our people. But I understand president Mbeki, you’re getting too old, so sometimes reality might escape you. But also president Mbeki, when consciousness leaves you it doesn’t say goodbye,” he said.

Malema warned that their love for Mbeki “should not make us fail to see reality”.

‘Gupta Monopoly Capital’

The problem with the term white monopoly capital is that it’s being used by “dunderheads”, Malema said.

“It must be replaced by socialism and sharing of wealth. We are not for any monopoly, not even Indian monopoly which happens here in Durban,” Malema said.

He said in KwaZulu-Natal everything strategic is given to Indian families.

“Every big tender is given to Indian families in Natal. We don’t have a problem, but we’re saying share with our people,” he said.

He called upon “our fellow Indians” in the province to respect Africans.

“They are ill-treating our people. They are worse than Afrikaners were. This is not an anti-Indian statement, it’s the truth,” he said.

He said during his door-to-door campaigns in Durban during the week leading up to the anniversary celebration, “people cried tears when they described the treatment they get from Indian, especially those who own shops”.

“Indians who own shops don’t pay our people, but they give them food parcels. They must be paid a minimum wage. We’re not going to nurse feelings here,” he said.

He accused the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal of being captured by some Indian families. He said the ANC allowed Indians to exploit “our people”.

“The ANC and other political parties in Natal are captured. They may not be captured by the Guptas, but are in pockets of other Indian families. We want an equal society,” he said.

Secret Ballot

Malema said since the formation of his party on 26 July, 2013, they have managed to have more than 800 councillors across the country.